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Topic: convert to Orthodox Faith (Read 2270 times)

At first I thought about doing all the practices and traditions the right way - but then all the teachings in Orthodoxy always suggest that I'm doing it wrong and give them something to complain about.

« Last Edit: January 16, 2012, 02:04:51 PM by WPM »

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Jesus Prayer : the invocation of the name of Jesus, most commonly, 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me' , although there are a number of variant forms. Not merely a technique or a Christian mantra, but a prayer addressed to the person of Jesus Christ, expressing our living faith in Him as Son of God and Savior.

At first I thought about doing all the practices and traditions the right way - but then all the teachings in Orthodoxy always suggest that I'm doing it wrong and give them something to complain about.

It's easy to go full tilt when you begin to convert - grief knows I did. . .I found that the wisdom of the church is very sound . . . a little at a time. . .and always under the direction / blessing / covering of your priest. The idea is to draw closer to God, not go full tilt, fail, then get frustrated and quit.

Like many of us, you are in turmoil over 'doing it the right way.' Work with your priest and develop an Orthodox path that works for you as counseled by your priest. There is no paperback 'Orthodoxy for Dummies' with all of the 'right way' rules laid out that can answer your questions or quell your fears. If I were to post " A+B+C = the Right Way" there would be a multitude of passionate responders telling you how 'wrong' that is. So - in the end - develop a good relationship with your priest and you will develop a good relationship with the Church - one step at a time - and the journey is not always a straight line, so be prepared.

At first I thought about doing all the practices and traditions the right way - but then all the teachings in Orthodoxy always suggest that I'm doing it wrong and give them something to complain about.

I know a little about women. At first I thought I was doing all the practices and traditional behaviors the right way - but then it turned out that I'm doing everything wrong and gave them something to complain about.

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"As the sparrow flees from a hawk, so the man seeking humility flees from an argument". St John Climacus

At first I thought about doing all the practices and traditions the right way - but then all the teachings in Orthodoxy always suggest that I'm doing it wrong and give them something to complain about.

Is English your first language? We seem to have a communication gap here.

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Blessed Nazarius practiced the ascetic life. His clothes were tattered. He wore his shoes without removing them for six years.

THE OPINIONS HERE MAY NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED ORTHODOX CHURCH

Personally I just live my faith rather simply trying to say the daily Trisagion prayers , as the page header says in mu prayer book, ("Holy God, Holy Mighty..", "All Holy Trinity...", the Lord's prayer). Read the daily lectionary scriptures, an account of a daily saint etc. before leaving for work. I try to integrate a humble & sober awareness of prayer, alms giving, & fasting into living as the church calls us to do. I take confession & the Eucharist as the Spirit guides me through my conscience, since the frequency of these has varied in church history, but I stick to the framework. From there I go to liturgy to worship & give thanks and this guides me in secular living otherwise. It does not have to be complicated & there is much I have read about that I no longer worry about cause some of it made my head hurt but now I am at basic peace (& not on meds either).

At first I thought about doing all the practices and traditions the right way - but then all the teachings in Orthodoxy always suggest that I'm doing it wrong and give them something to complain about.

Is English your first language? We seem to have a communication gap here.

Yeah, I don't understand the question...

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"If but ten of us lead a holy life, we shall kindle a fire which shall light up the entire city."

A close relationship with your spiritual father or pastor may resolve some of these insecurities---one thing I have learned as I have moved around the US and interfaced with differring jurisdictions and ethnic parishes is that I know very little about the practices of anything except where I am currently attending services. When I am with a Greek Parish I had to learn a little Greek to be accepted and observe their practices to fit in. When I was in a Russian parish I had to change my practices to fit in there. Now I am in an Antiochian parish and I have had to learn the practices and traditions there. As for my personal praxis in my own home I have taken that which was most meaningful to my spiritual growth and made it my own praxis of tradition in my home and with my family. We are American and the one thing Americans do is adapt.

May your travel in the praxis of the faith be beneficial to you and your family.

Jesus Prayer : the invocation of the name of Jesus, most commonly, 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me' , although there are a number of variant forms. Not merely a technique or a Christian mantra, but a prayer addressed to the person of Jesus Christ, expressing our living faith in Him as Son of God and Savior.

A close relationship with your spiritual father or pastor may resolve some of these insecurities---one thing I have learned as I have moved around the US and interfaced with differring jurisdictions and ethnic parishes is that I know very little about the practices of anything except where I am currently attending services. When I am with a Greek Parish I had to learn a little Greek to be accepted and observe their practices to fit in. When I was in a Russian parishe I had tochange my practices to fit in there. Now I am in an Antiochian parish and I have had to learn the parctices and traditions there. As for my personal praxis in my own home I have taken that which was most meaningful to my spiritual growth and made it my own praxis of tradition in my home and with my family. We are American and the one thing Americans do is adapt.

May your travel in the praxis of the faith be beneficial to you and your family.

Thomas

good advice - I did phone in to orthodox/catholic priest today.

« Last Edit: January 18, 2012, 02:02:39 AM by WPM »

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Jesus Prayer : the invocation of the name of Jesus, most commonly, 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me' , although there are a number of variant forms. Not merely a technique or a Christian mantra, but a prayer addressed to the person of Jesus Christ, expressing our living faith in Him as Son of God and Savior.

Now that you are confirmed, are you regularly attending the WRO parish?Have you been able to get rides to the Divine Liturgy?

« Last Edit: January 18, 2012, 02:55:41 AM by Maria »

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The memory of God should be treasured in our hearts like the precious pearl mentioned in the Holy Gospel. Our life's goal should be to nurture and contemplate God always within, and never let it depart, for this steadfastness will drive demons away from us. - Paraphrased from St. Philotheus of Sinai Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart,Translated from the Russian by E. Kadloubovksy and G.E.H. Palmer, Faber and Faber, London, Boston, 1992 printing.

Now that you are confirmed, are you regularly attending the WRO parish?Have you been able to get rides to the Divine Liturgy?

No vehicle yet.

Saying prayers at mom's house with desk/desktop + prayer corner.

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Jesus Prayer : the invocation of the name of Jesus, most commonly, 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me' , although there are a number of variant forms. Not merely a technique or a Christian mantra, but a prayer addressed to the person of Jesus Christ, expressing our living faith in Him as Son of God and Savior.

Jesus Prayer : the invocation of the name of Jesus, most commonly, 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me' , although there are a number of variant forms. Not merely a technique or a Christian mantra, but a prayer addressed to the person of Jesus Christ, expressing our living faith in Him as Son of God and Savior.